"I think it's interesting that when you tell somebody you race walk , the immediate thing they say back is 'oh the speed walking', and it's not exactly speed walking. We're not just out there pumping our arms,” she said.

Despite the proverb that suggests everyone should walk before they run, Melville can walk faster than the average person can actually run. When she unleashes her race walk at full power, she can “walk” a mile in less than six minutes and 30 seconds. At the same time, she has to carefully maintain the correct form and technique to avoid disqualification.

Race walking is commonly misunderstood as a faster version of regular walking, Melville told NBC 7.

There are two technique rules that create the biggest challenges for race participants.

First, athletes must have one foot on the ground at all times that is visible to the human eye. Secondly, when the race walker’s lead leg hits the ground their knee must be straight. They must hold their leading leg straight at least until the other leg has passed under them. Then it’s no longer considered the leading leg, so they can bend it to follow through.

“We are a very technical sport. You can get disqualified in a race for not having good technique, so we do constantly have to be working on our technique and improving it," said Melville.